Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Reform takes control of Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, becomes largest in Leicestershire

Reform UK has now taken control of seven councils and gained more than 650 seats, while the Conservatives have lost over 650 and Labour more than 180.

reform-uk-reuters

A Reform UK party poster is seen outside a house in Frodsham. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

REFORM UK has made major gains in local elections across England, taking control of county councils in Lancashire, Nottinghamshire and becoming the largest party in Leicestershire.

In Leicestershire, the Conservatives lost control of the county council, with no party securing a majority. Reform UK won 25 seats, three short of the 28 required for full control. The Conservatives have 15 seats, the Liberal Democrats 11, Labour has two, with one Green and one independent councillor.


Joseph Boam, chairman of North West Leicestershire’s Reform branch, posted on X, “Thank you to every voter who put their trust in us.” Deborah Taylor, acting council leader, retained her Bradgate seat and wrote on X, “Many valued colleagues have been defeated and I’m sorry to see them go. Discussions will be held over the next few days as to the way forward for Leicestershire.”

ALSO READ: Reform wins first mayoral post and fifth parliamentary seat

In Nottinghamshire, Reform UK secured 40 of the 66 council seats, surpassing the 34 needed for a majority. The Conservatives hold 17 seats and Labour four. Two remaining seats will be contested in a by-election following the death of Mansfield North candidate Karen Seymour.

Dr John Doddy, formerly the only Reform councillor in Nottinghamshire, was previously expelled from the Conservatives. Conservative leader Sam Smith retained his Newark East seat. Labour group leader Kate Foale lost her seat to Teresa Cullen of the Broxtowe Alliance, who had defected from Labour in January, reported BBC. Ashfield Independent leader Jason Zadrozny also lost his seat, leaving his party with only one.

ALSO READ: Reform takes control of Kent County Council

Reform UK also gained control of Lancashire County Council, winning 53 out of 84 seats. The party had previously held only two seats. Both Conservative leader Philippa Williamson and Labour leader Matthew Tomlinson lost their seats to Reform candidates.

Tomlinson, who represented Leyland Central, told BBC, “The people voted for change last year and they’re not seeing the change they wanted. It’s now time for the government to stand up.”

Stephen Atkinson, former Ribble Valley Council leader who defected from the Conservatives to Reform, won the Ribble Valley South West seat.

He said priorities would include improving roads and proposing a referendum on Lancashire’s future if permitted. “Council tax is the biggest bill that residents pay, they should decide if they want to keep it as it is or if they want to change it,” he said.

Reform UK has now taken control of seven councils and gained more than 650 seats, while the Conservatives have lost over 650 and Labour more than 180.

Reform UK has also won its first parliamentary by-election and secured two mayoral victories.

More For You

Minister 'open to talks' on British Sikh regiment

Lord Coaker (Photo: UK Parliament)

Minister 'open to talks' on British Sikh regiment

A FRESH parliamentary initiative to establish a dedicated Sikh regiment within the British Army has gained momentum in the House of Lords, with defence minister Lord Coaker expressing willingness to engage in further discussions about the long-debated proposal.

The issue was raised in the House of Lords on Monday (7) by Labour peer Lord Sahota, who asked whether there had been any progress on long-standing calls for a Sikh regiment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heatwave Alert: Don’t Leave Contraceptives or Medication in Cars

Heat can also damage everyday items like sunglasses, suncream and vape devices

iStock

Drivers warned to remove contraceptives and medication from cars during UK heatwave

Highlights:

  • Experts urge motorists to avoid leaving certain items in vehicles during upcoming heatwave
  • Temperatures expected to rise above 30°C across large parts of the UK
  • Contraceptives and common medications can lose effectiveness in high heat
  • Heat can also damage everyday items like sunglasses, suncream and vape devices

Drivers urged to act as UK braces for extended heatwave

Drivers across the UK are being urged to remove a range of everyday items from their cars ahead of a predicted heatwave, with experts warning that the rising temperatures could pose both safety and health risks.

The Met Office has forecast a prolonged spell of hot weather, with temperatures expected to soar into the low 30s on Thursday and Friday. Much of the UK is likely to hit its regional heatwave threshold by the weekend, with this episode potentially affecting a wider area and lasting longer than previous hot spells.

Keep ReadingShow less
Royal Mail

The Royal Mail logo is seen on the side of a van as the UK government clear a 3.57 billion pound takeover offer by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky in London, December 16, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Ofcom updates Royal Mail delivery targets, starts pricing review

MEDIA regulator Ofcom has set new minimum delivery standards for Royal Mail and revised existing targets in an effort to reduce delays. It also announced a review into pricing and affordability, amid concerns over rising stamp prices.

Royal Mail, which has faced fines of around $20 million over the past two years for not meeting delivery targets, is currently trying to modernise operations and focus more on parcel deliveries.

Keep ReadingShow less
Doctors' strike

The doctors had previously accepted a 22 per cent pay rise covering 2023 to 2025, which brought an end to earlier rounds of strikes.

Getty Images

England's resident doctors announce five-day strike over pay dispute

JUNIOR doctors in England will go on strike from 25 to 30 July, their union said on Wednesday, after the British government said it could not meet their demand for an improved pay offer this year.

The doctors, also known as resident doctors, make up a large part of the medical workforce. They were offered an average 5.4 per cent pay rise but are seeking 29 per cent, saying this is needed to reverse years of real-terms pay erosion.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi set for UK visit to sign free trade agreement

FILE PHOTO: Keir Starmer (L) with Narendra Modi. (Photo: Getty Images)

Modi set for UK visit to sign free trade agreement

INDIA's prime minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to the UK by the end of this month for a visit that could see both sides formally sign the landmark India-UK free trade agreement and explore ways to expand bilateral ties in the defence and security sphere, diplomatic sources said.

Both sides are in the process of finalising the dates for Modi's visit to the country by the end of July or the first part of August, they said.

Keep ReadingShow less